19 June 1912, Sydney Morning Herald

BRITISH ASSOCIATION.

N.S. WALES V. QUEENSLAND.

Twenty-two years have passed since the first and only Queensland team came to Sydney to play Interstate football under British Association rules. Two matches, were played against New South Wales during that trip, Queensland winning on each occasion, with scores of 3 to 1 and 1 to nil. A return trip to Queensland was, made in 1898 - eight years later. In the two Interstate matches played honours were divided in a remarkable manner, for each State won a game by 3 goals to 2. Queensland, however, has won three out of a total of four matches played, so that New South Wales has much leeway to make up, and even if the two matches arranged for next week are won by the home team there will still be a debit of one.

The Queensland team, which will arrive on Friday next, is, reputed to be thoroughly representative and strong in all departments; and, as a well-balanced side has been chosen to do duty for New South Wales, good games should be witnessed. The visitors will play their first matches of the tour at Wollongong on Saturday next, when they will be opposed by the South Coast eleven which played a metropolitan team in Sydney on June 3. The first interstate match will take place at Wentworth Park Oval on Monday, June 24, and the second at Epping on Saturday, June 29.

In addition to the interstate match a full programme has been drawn up for Monday, June 24. In the morning at 9.30 there will be a match in the Juvenile Competition, which will be followed, at 10.30, by the Gardiner Cup tie, Newtown v .Cessnock. At 1.30 p.m. another Gardiner Cup tie, West Wallsend v Burns' Anniversary Club, will be decided, and later the interstate match will attract the attention of patrons. Players from the northern district will, therefore, be seen at Wentworth Park Oval on the holiday. In addition to the Queensland team, whose only predecessors were here as far back as 1890.

The Gardiner Cup matches to be played on June 24 will complete the first round.

The Rawson Cup fixtures set down for Saturday next are the only ones remaining. In the first round, with the exception of the replay of the unfinished match between Sydney and Newtown. Sydney at present head the list in the competition table, their only reverse being in the match against Glebe, in which they were defeated by 2 goals to 1. On their recent showings Glebe would hardly be able to repeat such a performance. In Newtown they will meet a superior all round team on the day's play.

Newtown's outside left, S. Blake, who has been selected to play against Queensland, showed speed and accuracy in dribbling, and otherwise justified his inclusion in the New South Wales eleven. Three years ago Blake played half-back in the old Western Suburbs team, and, though his propensity for dashing off at top pace with the ball even at that time stamped him as a forward, he was kept on as a half throughout the 1909 season. Since then, however, he has been rightly placed, and has rapidly developed into a leading player.

Milner was also to the fore against Glebe with that steady, cool, yet determined, style

that marks the born footballer. The brilliant player probably attracts us to such an extent at times that we are apt to overlook the one who shines evenly throughout. But it is well to remember that the good light which flickers not is infinitely more useful than that which glows with dazzling brilliancy one moment and sinks into insignificance the next. .

Some resourceful saves wore credited to Mitchell, who is at present displaying form quite equal to any of our goalkeepers. The Newtown custodian is an ardent enthusiast, and a player who is thoroughly conversant with the laws of the game.

Newtown's prospects of overtaking the leaders in the Rawson Cup competition are improving with every match. If they contrive to defeat Balmain on Saturday their chance will be particularly promising, but it is likely to prove rather a severe task.

By defeating Garden Island, Balmain's Association Cup team has placed the naval men somewhat out of the running. The first round of the competition is over, so far as Balmain and West Sydney are concerned. Both have gone through undefeated, the match in which they met ending in a draw, and their goal averages are very much alike, Balmain having scored 21 goals to 3, and West Sydney 25 to 4.

Newman was the most solid worker of the Balmaain forwards against Garden Island, though all were smart. He repeatedly started his partner. Jackson, on the left wing, and drew the defence several times successfully before sending a long pass out to Adams on the opposite wing. Newman has seldom played a more reliable and thoughtful game.

The characteristic hustling by Pryde was actually responsible for the Balmain scores, but to the uniform excellence of the whole side must be attributed their success. The halves and backs made few mistakes. Law's tackling, Ferrier's accurate screw-passes, and Harigan's vigorous kicking were conspicuous features.

Garden Island did not, perhaps, get as many chances at shooting for goal as their opponents. The inside forwards were weak links in the chain of attack, and Andrews was not sufficiently accurate in his centre and corner kicks to make the best use of his opportunities. Burton's saving in goal drew forth applause several times, and Goodchild was strong and clever in , defence but the halves did not control the ball too well.

Balmain's Association Cup team, having a bye in the second round of the Gardiner Cup, will enter the qualifying round with every prospect of success, if present form be maintained.